The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has announced the passing of Chief Michael Olumuyiwa Falomo, former chairman of the council, describing his demise as a huge loss to Nigeria’s marketing and communications community.

Chief Falomo, who died at the age of 87, served as chairman of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, ARCON then APCON from December 1999 to 2003

Speaking on the loss, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director General, ARCON, told MARKETING EDGE in an interview that the death of Chief Falomo is a great loss to the marketing communications industry, noting his immense contributions to the growth and professionalization of advertising practice in Nigeria.

“Chief Falomo was not just a doyen. He was a builder of institutions, a mentor to generations of practitioners, and a statesman who worked hard to ensure ethical advertising practice and a strong regulatory framework” Dr. Fadolapo said.

The ARCON boss noted that during Chief Falomo’s tenure as APCON chairman, he brought his decades of industry experience to bear on strengthening regulatory frameworks, promoting professional standards and positioning Nigerian advertising practice for global competitiveness.

Born on August 13, 1938 in Ilesa, Osun State, Chief Falomo was one of the pioneers of television and commercial radio broadcasting in Nigeria as far back as 1959. He began his broadcast career at Western Nigeria Television and Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation before transitioning fully into advertising in 1963.

His advertising career spanned senior positions at major agencies, rising to executive director at Ogilvy, Benson and Mather Nigeria Limited before establishing Forum Advertising Nigeria Limited in 1986, where he served as managing director and chief executive officer until his recent retirement.

Beyond his professional achievements, Chief Falomo distinguished himself through extensive humanitarian work. He served on the boards of the Nigerian Society for the Blind, where he held various positions including trustee, the Nigerian Society for the Welfare of Retired and Elderly Persons, and the Bloom Cancer Care and Support Centre. He was also patron of Aanu Olu Pre-school Unit for Physically Challenged Children.

Dr. Fadolapo emphasized that Chief Falomo’s legacy extends beyond the regulatory frameworks he helped establish to the values he embodied. “He showed us that success in advertising must be measured not only by commercial achievement but by service to profession, community and nation,” the ARCON director general said.

Chief Falomo held several chieftaincy titles including Otun Baroyin of Oke-Ona Egba, Lomoofe of Ilare-Ijesa, and Lofosan of Ifosan Quarters in Ilesa. He also served as chairman of Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria and principal consultant at Olu Falomo and Associates, demonstrating his continued relevance to business and industry even after retirement from active agency practice.

The council has extended condolences to Chief Falomo’s family, the advertising community, and all those whose lives were touched by the late icon’s service, integrity and excellence.